How to Adopt a Pet in Charlotte - Charlotte On The Cheap

If you want to add a dog (or a cat, or a rabbit, etc.) to your family, please consider adoption. In Charlotte, shelters are at or near capacity, and there are many shelter animals who would make great pets.

Dog adoption in Charlotte can be a little confusing because of various organizations that offer adoption, but we’ve gathered information and links about dog and cat adoption.

Read on for information on adopting a pet from CMPD Animal Care & Control, Humane Society of Charlotte, and local animal rescue organizations.

Girl and father with dog — Photo: Depositphotos

Adopting a Pet from CMPD Animal Care & Control

CMPD Animal Care & Control is at 8315 Byrum Drive, Charlotte, NC.

You can browse the list of adoptable animals here. If you’re looking for a specific type, breed, age, size, sex, or color animal you can fill out a breed request notification.

To adopt an animal, come to the facility with your ID (you must be 18 or older.) Bring a carrier for a cat (or buy a temporary cat box for $5) or a leash and collar for a dog.

The shelter doors open at 11 a.m. every day. All adopters in attendance at that time secure an equal position. If more than one person is interested in adopting the same pet, a priority order drawing will take place.

You can’t bring your own dog to see how it gets along with a shelter. But you can take a shelter dog on a Staycation for several days and see how they do at home. If you take a dog on a Staycation you have no obligation to adopt, but you have priority.

The adoption fee for dogs and cats is $30. Below is a list of other costs.

Please note that adoption fees might be waived at various times.

Adult Dogs (4+ months):

Adoption fee – $30
Spay fee – $70
Neuter fee – $65
Microchip – $8
License – $10
Spay Total – $118
Neuter Total – $113

Puppies (under 4 months):

Adoption fee – $30
Spay fee – $70
Neuter fee – $65
Microchip – $8
Spay Total – $108
Neuter Total – $103

Adult Cats (4+ months):

Adoption fee – $30
Spay fee – $50
Neuter fee – $45
Microchip – $8
License – $10
Spay Total – $98
Neuter Total – $93

Kittens (under 4 months):

Adoption fee – $30
Spay fee – $50
Neuter fee – $45
Microchip – $8
Spay Total – $88
Neuter Total – $83

In addition, the shelter at times houses other animals, such as guinea pigs, ferrets, snake, rats and more. You can see the various adoption fees here. Livestock is also occasionally available. Large animals (horses, donkeys, llamas, mules, etc.) have to be auctioned, but some smaller livestock are available for adoption at set prices.

Adopting a Pet from Humane Society of Charlotte

Humane Society of Charlotte’s adoption center is at 1348 Parker Drive, Charlotte, NC.

To adopt a dog or cat from Humane Society of Charlotte:

Browse the listing of adoptable dogs and cats.
Stop by the shelter to talk to the adoption team about your lifestyle and what kind of pet you’re looking for.
The Adoption Counselor will bring you a dog or cat to meet.
If you decide to adopt, fill out the paperwork.

You must be at least 18 years old, and have ID, in order to adopt an animal.

Adoption fees are variable. They depend on the animal’s age, size, breed and temperament.

Humane Society of Charlotte offers pet training and behavior counseling to help the adoption become successful.

Adopting a Pet from Cabarrus County Animal Shelter

Cabarrus County Animal Shelter is at 244 Betsy Carpenter Place SW, Concord, NC.

You can browse the lists of cats and dogs available for adoption here.

In order to adopt an animal from the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter, you need to fill out a cat adoption form or dog adoption form online. You can find links to the forms here.

Adopting a Pet from a Rescue

There are countless animal rescue organizations in the Charlotte area that care for dogs, cats and other animals until they can be adopted.

Some rescues focus on a specific breed. Each organization sets its own adoption fees and requirements. For instance, a rescue might require that an adopter have a fenced yard or no children, depending on the animal.

You can find a large list of animal rescue groups that act as partners with CMPD Animal Care & Control here.

Double-Check Before You Head Out!

We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.

However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.

Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

More Pet Events in the Charlotte Area

Check out the Charlotte pet calendar, as well as other pet content!